73rd Annual ‘Hanging of the Green’ to Feature ‘Messiah’

November 23, 2010

OBU's 73rd annual “Hanging of the Green” Christmas celebration will honor the University’s Centennial anniversary with a presentation of Handel’s “Messiah.” The community is invited to celebrate Christmas with the Hanging of the Green on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Raley Chapel.

The first OBU Hanging of the Green ceremony was in WMU Memorial Hall in 1937. After the singing of carols, representatives from all dormitories lit candles of good will from the candle there and carried the light to their own houses. The custom of Hanging of the Green has continued through the years. It moved in 1945 to the newly completed Brittain Hall, in 1957 to the University Auditorium, and in 1961 to John Wesley Raley Chapel.

Traditionally, 20 outstanding seniors are nominated and selected by the faculty as honorees for the evening. These students are seen to embody the OBU ideals and represent a wide variety of majors, disciplines and hometowns.

This year’s honorees include Kathryn Barrett, a mathematics major from Neodesha, Kan.; Kuan Cheong, a chemistry major from Macau, China; Dillon Chilcoat, an international business major from Oklahoma City; Nicole Cummings, a business finance major from Granbury, Texas; Brandon Dickinson, a history/anthropology major from Enid, Okla.; Casey Flynt, a church music major from Turpin, Okla.; Brandon Gilbert, a public relations major from Allen, Texas; Donald Greenawalt, a business finance major from Tecumseh, Okla.; Katie Halbesleben, a psychology/Spanish major from Wausau, Wis.; and Alyssa Henkes, an interdisciplinary major from Edmond, Okla.

Also honored will be Joshua Karr, an international business major from Larkspur, Colo.; Timothy Kurtz, an electronic media production major from Heber Springs, Ark.; Stephen Lambiase, a psychology major from Spring Branch, Texas; Jeff Lewis, a biology major from Cameron Park, Cali.; Meghan Loyd, a vocal music education major from Fort Smith, Ark.; Andrea Melontree, an elementary education major from Lawton, Okla.; Anna Morgan, an English major from Eatonville, Wash.; Veronica Pistone, a biblical languages major from Blue Springs, Mo.; Meredith Vernon, an exercise and sports science: pre-allied health major from Shawnee, Okla.; and Melanie Walker, an exercise and sports science major from Shawnee.

The Christmas program will feature performances by students and faculty in OBU’s Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts, including the University Ringers, University Chorale, Bison Glee Club and the Bisonette Glee Club. The narrator of the program will be Dr. Kevin Hall, OBU professor of religion and Hollums Chair of Bible.

For more information, contact the OBU Division of Music at (405) 878-2305.